1 in 4 Aussies Delay the Dentist, What Can an Epping Dentist in Melbourne Do to Help?

In 2024 to 25, a whopping 25.2% of Aussies aged 15 and over decided to put off or cancel a dental appointment when they really needed one. And it’s not like they just changed their mind either, cost was a major reason behind this for 16.1% of people. Now, while both of these figures have fallen compared to the previous year, the fact remains that one in four people are still putting off seeing the Epping dental team, which can be a pretty serious mistake.

Why Do People Delay Going to the Dentist?

The thing is, pain is usually what gets people to the dentist in the first place. And until that happens, it’s all too easy to just put off making that appointment. Of course, that means that early stages of tooth decay and gum disease can go unnoticed, and when they’re not causing any pain, people just assume everything is fine and that they don’t need to bother with a checkup. And then there’s the cost, most adult dental work isn’t covered by Medicare, which means that regular checkups can start to feel like a luxury you just can’t afford. People might shell out for an emergency repair, but putting off a routine checkup for another year? That just becomes a necessary evil.

The Problem with Putting Off Going to the Dentist

Here’s the thing, if you catch a cavity early on, your dentist can probably just slap a filling on it and you’re good to go. But let that decay go and get to the root (no pun intended), and suddenly you’re looking at a longer, more complicated treatment. Maybe a root canal, or a crown, or even an extraction. And that’s not even getting started on gum disease. You see, gum disease doesn’t always hurt, but that doesn’t mean it’s not doing its thing. Your gums might start to bleed, and the bones and tissues that support your teeth will begin to weaken. And delaying treatment? That’s not going to make the problem go away, unfortunately.

How Victoria’s Public Dental System Works (But Not Always in a Way You’d Expect)?

Now, in Victoria, there are some pretty specific rules around who gets priority access to public dental care. But first, let’s talk about eligibility, because that’s actually pretty separate from priority access. So, in Victoria, children aged 0 to 12 can get public dental care no questions asked. Young people aged 13 to 17 and adults can get it if they’ve got a healthcare or pensioner concession card, or if they’re dependent on someone who does. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, refugees, and asylum seekers also get automatic eligibility, as do people who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.

But when it comes to priority access, that’s a different story altogether. Priority groups include children and young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, refugees, asylum seekers, and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These groups get to jump ahead of the queue and get the next available general care appointment. Other eligible adults, on the other hand, are put on a waiting list, and they get appointments as and when they come up. And here’s the thing, the state doesn’t actually publish waiting times for public dental clinics. So if you need to know how long you might have to wait, your best bet is to give them a call.

Child Dental Benefits: What Families Need to Know

But here’s a bit of good news, if you’re an eligible family with a kid between 0 and 17, you might be able to get some help through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. For this to work, your kid needs to be eligible for Medicare and you need to be getting a qualifying income. And there’s also a benefit limit, so you should check how much you’ve still got available before you book that appointment.

Affordable Options for Dental Treatment

Dividing treatment into phases can assist in managing costs. An itemised treatment plan will list what needs to be done first, what could wait and how the treatment phases relate to each other.

Usually treatment phases include:

• Treat acute conditions first, such as infections and fractured teeth.
• Take care of preventive measures to decrease the chances of developing new dental issues.
• Save optional or cosmetic treatments for later.

Extras from private health insurance may also be helpful in covering dental treatment. The amount covered annually by various plans varies and there may be waiting periods, so you have to take that into account before starting the treatment process. In case of major treatment procedures, scheduling around the new limit of annual benefits could help in making the most of your dental plan.

Good Habits That Will Help You Avoid Dental Treatment

Even though regular dental visits are planned, it doesn’t mean that daily oral hygiene practices aren’t as important. Brushing two times a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and limiting sugary snacks will prevent dental problems. Consuming sweet beverages throughout the whole day is worse for your dental health than having just one dessert. Recurrent bleeding gums, persistent sensitivity and damaged teeth require you to see the dentist immediately. The earlier the visit, the cheaper and easier it will be.